CS Matiang’i asks NTSA to reduce traffic-related deaths by 50pc

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i during a meeting with NTSA officials at Harambee House on February 11, 2019. PHOTO | COURTESY

In Summary

Dr. Matiang’i also directed NTSA to oversee better road manners and to ultimately reduce the deaths to zero.

The Interior CS also warned officials at the authority found colluding with criminals will be prosecuted.

He added that investigations against individuals suspected of engaging in cloning of number plates and fraudulent registration of vehicles are at an advanced stage.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has urged the newly-revamped National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to ensure the reduction of traffic-related deaths by at least 50percent this year.

Speaking on Monday after a first meeting since the State agency was moved to his docket in January this year, Dr. Matiang’i also directed NTSA to oversee better road manners and to ultimately reduce the deaths to zero.

“Honest and loyal leadership is what Kenyans are demanding, and you must be directly accountable to them by enforcing all the laws ruthlessly and applying the standards without compromising,” said the CS.

The Interior CS also warned that NTSA officials found colluding with criminals will be prosecuted, adding that investigations against individuals suspected of engaging in cloning of number plates and fraudulent registration of vehicles are at an advanced stage.

“Such irregularities have a ripple effect on our national security – the recent Dusit Hotel Complex attack is a case in point,” the Cabinet Secretary noted, adding that the syndicate has eaten into the country’s overall revenue collection target.

The CS further challenged the authority to conduct an in-depth evaluation to ensure it’s fit for purpose and align its operations with the government’s efforts geared towards establishing a safe road transport system.

“Our statistics on road accidents do not reflect the number of roadworthy vehicles currently registered in our systems. These discrepancies imply that there could be several unroadworthy vehicles operating after passing our inspection tests irregularly,” he added.

He also urged them to make a habit of getting out of the office to gather first-hand information on issuance of car plates, issuance and renewal of driving licenses, and inspection of vehicles among other operations that fall within the mandate of the authority.